Following a comprehensive and competitive selection process, the Board of Directors of the Italian Canadian Sports Federation (ICSF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Frank Valente as the Federation’s new Executive Director.
In this role, Frank will oversee the day-to-day operations of the ICSF and ICSF Columbus FC, lead the implementation of key strategic initiatives, and act as the primary liaison to the Board, club staff, members, and valued stakeholders. His strong business acumen, combined with over four decades of youth and adult soccer leadership, makes him ideally suited to guide both ICSF and ICSF Columbus FC through their next phase of growth and community impact.
Frank’s association with the ICSF spans more than 40 years. He has served as a member of several committees, coach, director, mentor, and program developer—roles in which he has supported the development of countless players, coaches, and club staff. As ICSF Vice President and most recently as ICSF President—a combined tenure of nearly 15 years—Frank led significant growth in programming, player registration, and volunteer engagement. He played a vital role in uniting ICSF's youth program with Columbus FC’s adult teams, helping to form a single, unified club: ICSF Columbus FC, resulting in exponential growth in participation and improved access for players of all levels. He also played a key role in a strategic planning process aimed at the Federation’s modernization and long-term sustainability.
Frank’s leadership extends beyond the field. In parallel with his life-long volunteer service, he has built a successful business career spanning more than 35 years in operations management, human resources, logistics, and sales, across both public and private sectors. As a former small business owner and consultant, he brings extensive experience in organizational growth, process improvement, budgeting, staff leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement and has a proven track record of maximizing efficiencies while consistently delivering measurable results.
Frank’s lifelong dedication to sport and community has been widely recognized. Most notably, he was inducted into the BC Soccer Hall of Fame – Roll of Honour in 2020, a testament to his enduring contributions to soccer in British Columbia. He has also received the prestigious BC Soccer Award of Merit, further highlighting his outstanding service to the sport.
Please join us in congratulating Frank Valente on his well-deserved appointment as Executive Director of the Italian Canadian Sports Federation. We look forward to the continued leadership, vision, and passion he will bring to the role!!